A Concord Pastor Comments: Monday Morning Offering

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

Still got doubting Thomas on my mind, Lord...

There are certainly times when I’m a doubter, Lord,
but also times when, without a doubt,
I believe…

No matter how cold or snowy the winter may be,
no matter how long stretches into new year,
I do, without a doubt, believe
that spring will come
to warm the chill from my bones and my soul…

No matter how long, how dark the night,
no matter how frightening my dreams,
I do, without a doubt, believe
a new day will dawn,
and give me hope of a new beginning,
a fresh start, another chance…

No matter how difficult things may be,
no matter how lonely I feel, how alone I am,
I do, without a doubt, believe
that you and my friends will see me through
‘til better times are mine...

No matter how hurt,
no matter how broken my heart,
I do, without a doubt, believe
that as others’ hearts are mended
so, too, will my heart have its turn…

No matter how conflicted,
how confused I might be,
I do, without a doubt, believe
there’s a wisdom, a light and a path to truth:
a path I seek and want to walk…

Even in the face of death, Lord,
even with a heart filled with grief and loss,
I do, without a doubt, believe
your promise of eternal life,
of life with you forever
and with those who’ve gone before me
marked with the sign of faith…

If, without a doubt, Lord,
I trust the seasons, the sun and moon,
my friends, my heart’s resiliency
and the promise of a truth that’s pure
and has no end;
if, Lord, without a doubt,
I trust that there’s a heaven, a life with you
where all is healed and all is peace
and all is joy;
if, without a doubt I so believe -
then why do I sometimes doubt
that you’re there for me,
that you’re here with me and for me,
that I can put my life into your hands?

This morning, Lord, I offer my need
to believe, without a doubt, in you,
to trust, without a doubt, in you,
to have faith, without a doubt, in you…

Help me believe that you are Lord
of all the seasons of my heart,
that on every day, in any month,
without a doubt,
you offer me a springtime of hope…

Help me trust that you are Lord
of all my days and nights,
that in every hour, in every moment,
without a doubt,
you offer me a new day and a new beginning…

Give me faith that you are Lord
over all my fears and struggles,
that in every difficulty,
without a doubt,
you’re my brother, friend and savior…

Help me believe that you are Lord
of my heart and all its needs,
that all my hurt and brokenness will,
without a doubt, heal
at your hand’s gentle touch…

Help me trust that you are Lord and God
of all my mind’s imagination and desires,
that in your wisdom there rests, without a doubt,
the knowledge I seek, the truth to set me free
and the peace for which my heart has always longed…

When I doubt, Lord, help me to believe…
When I doubt, Lord, help me to trust…
When I doubt, Lord, help me to keep faith…

I believe, Lord, help my unbelief…

This is my Monday morning prayer:
as when Thomas was in doubt you helped him to believe
so draw me from my doubt, Lord, to deeper faith in you…